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VOLUME 6 – TO THE LIMITS OF DESPAIR (2) file 03: separation ()
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1
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Gotou rubbed his eyes as he got up
He looked at the clock It was just past seven in thealready?
It appeared that he had fallen asleep at so on the desk in front of him He was probably tired
Gotou decided to let hi his bones crack loudly A sharp pain ran through his back It was probably because he had slept sitting down
Gotou took one cigarette out of the case, bit the filter and had his first puff of the day
He watched the trailing s now?
Suddenly concerned, Gotou took out his >
After two rings, Atsuko picked up
She sounded cheerful early in theaard
<sWhat’s wrong?>
’I just wanted to kno you were doing’
<Oh, so even you worry about me sometimes>
Atsuko’s voice sounded wry
Gotou couldn’t say anything back He had never called ho before
Men were proud, obstinate, and really good-for-noting creatures That hy they ry
When Gotou kept silent for a while, Atsuko laughed aloud
’W-what?’
<I understand You’re worried about Nao-chan, right?>
’That isn’t it’
Though Gotou denied it, he his
<You don’t have to worry>
’I see…’
<Nao-chan’s a really good girl She even helps out>
’She is’
– Isn’t there anything else to say?
Gotou was irritated at hiive curt replies
<But… she really is forcing herself>
Atsuko spoke in a quiet tone
It made sense No matter how brave Nao acted, she was still seven years old
There was no way she would be all right with Isshin like that, since he was the one who raised her However, she was still doing her best
It was probably tough on Atsuko to watch
Even though she wanted to do soht’
Gotou wanted to say so, he just agreed
<Oh, but are you doing OK?>
Atsuko’s casual words gave Gotou a start
Nao had brought about soe in the Gotou couple – he felt it directly
He wouldn’t be able to answer if asked what had changed, but he felt like he was closer to Atsuko than he had been a few days before
’Well, we’rea conscious effort to act unruffled
<You don’t have to worry about us, so go catch the criing tone to it
’Right’
Just as Atsuko said, what Gotou could do now for Nao was get to the bottom of the case as quickly as he could
<But don’t overdo yourself>
Atsuko’s murmur tickled Gotou’s ear, but at the sas like this after they had just gotup then’
Gotou suddenly felt e that
He had just let out his breath and pressed his cigarette into the ashtray when he h Gotou had no idea what he thought was so funny
’Ishii, how long have you been awake?’
Gotou glared at hi?’
’I just wanted to kno you were doing – about there’
– Isn’t that all of it?
Eer peaked at once
’You bastard – if you’re awake, say so!’
Gotou leant over the desk, gripped Ishii by the collar and shook hi’
With a shaking head, Ishii pointed at the desk
Gotou thought that Ishii was trying to trick hi on the desk Gotou clicked his tongue and then thrust Ishii forward before answering the phone
’Who is it?’
<Like I said, please fix your phone manners>
Yakumo spoke in his usual tone
He chose words purposefully to ry
’I don’t want to hear that from a contrary brat like you!’
<You’re not a child, so it would be better if you stopped yelling just because things aren’t going your way>
Yakumo’s smirk came up in Gotou’s head
Even if he said ainst Yakumo
’So what is it?’
It was Yakumo He wasn’t the type to call to kill tirasped a thread to solve the case
Gotou expectantly awaited an answer
’I’ve said this before, but I’m not a cab company!’
<Is that so? So you don’t want to know the truth behind the case then, Gotou-san>
’What?’
<That’s too bad I’ll call the cab co up
– He said that on purpose
He really was a troublesouy if you ticked him off
Gotou called Yakumo’s mobile
<What is it? I’m busy – I have to call the cab co
– What an obstinate guy
’Where should I go?’
<What are you supposed to say if you’ve done soe the topic, but Yaku fun of , Yakuain
’S-s-sorry,’ said Gotou in led out of him
<So you can do it if you try, can’t you? Please come to the hospital’s front entrance Ah, and could you also tell me Makoto-san’s contact information?>
’Makoto – do you mean the reporter?’
<Is there anyone else?>
– He always says one thing too much
Why’s Yakumo need Makoto’s contact information – Gotou didn’t know, but since it was Yaku
Gotou took the business card he had received from Makoto in the past out of his desk drawer and told Yakumo her company and mobile phone nuly and then hung up before Gotou could complain
– He really just does whatever he wants
As an outlet for his anger, Gotou hit Ishii’s head
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2
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Haruka sat on the bench in the hospital’s waiting roo there because Yakuh it was thirty ht not colass in her resignation
The laas a vivid grain
The cherry blosso, like they would bloom at any moment
It was so tranquil it made the events up until yesterday seem like a lie
But the reality was different –
Haruka looked up and saw a girl standing there
She had seen her before
The girl had been standing there when Haruka aiting for Isshin If she remembered correctly, her na?’ asked Haruka
Perhaps Yoshiko didn’t hear, because she just stood there with her gaze on her feet
– I don’t knohat to do
’You could win the world cha stupid faces’
Haruka looked up at the sudden voice
Yakumo stood there, withstupid?
What was that tone of his, when he was thirty one hoo
’You’re way past the ti her atch in front of Yaku to me properly?’
’Eh?’
’I didn’t say we’d meet up at ten – I said I’d leave house at ten’
– What kind of reasoning was that?
In orld would so toto leave the house instead of the ti, but she decided against it
There was no way she’d win in an arguainst Yakumo
’So who’s this kid?’
Yakumo looked at Yoshiko
Yoshiko took a step back, perhaps afraid of that red left eye
’Probably Yoshiko-chan… right?’
Haruka called out to Yoshiko, as looking down as she stood
However, Yoshiko made no response
’You know her?’
’When I was here with Isshin-san before, I saw her, so…’
Yakumo crouched in front of Yoshiko
Yoshiko looked away, as if trying to run
’Is the treath?’ asked Yakuer’
Yoshiko nodded again
Yakumo looked like Isshin had a few days earlier
’Yoshiko’
Haruka heard so towards the for Yoshiko
In response, Yoshiko looked up and , but Haruka couldn’t hear it
Yoshiko turned on her heels and walked towards Sakakibara
’Let’s go then’
Perhaps Yaku away
’Where to?’
Even though Yakumo had called Haruka to the hospital, she hadn’t heard anything about their plans
’I have so to discuss with Doctor Mao’
Yakuh his hair and walked at a leisurely pace down the corridor
– It seems he really does suspect Mao
Haruka felt that as she followed Yakumo’s back
When Yakumo reached Mao’s exa and stepped inside
Haruka followed after him timidly
’Yakumo-kun, you’re just on time’
Mao smiled from her seat at the desk
– Just on time?
That meant that Yaku his home at ten from the start
Haruka really wanted to complain, but Mao was in front of her too
Instead, Haruka poked Yakumo in the side
Yakulared at her, as if to ask ’What the hell are you doing?’, but Haruka ignored it and sat on a chair
’Yakued
Yakumo looked dissatisfied, but he reluctantly sat on a chair
’You have so to discuss with me, yes?’ said Mao after Yaku back and forth for a while now, unable to relax
’Yes There is so I would like to confirm about my uncle’
’Confirm?’
Mao cocked her head at Yakumo’s words
’Yes?’
’What is it?’
’It is about when my uncle was carried to this hospital’
’What do you want to know?’
’You said that he stopped breathing for a while, but is that true?’
Though Yaku
’It’s true He had already stopped breathing,’ replied Mao after clearing her throat once
Though she was acting cal visibly paler
’There isn’t any doubt about it?’
’No, there isn’t’
Mao’s lips were trehtly
’I talked to the detective who had been in the a to him, my uncle was unconscious on the a’
’… What do you want to say?’
Beads of sere on Mao’s forehead
’Doctor Mao, if both your testimony and that detective’s testi in the aery room’
Yakumo’s eyes were clearly full of suspicion
However, Haruka didn’t think that the conversation was that strange
’That would be the case,’ replied Mao, licking her dry lips
’I see Assu’
’What?’
’Why can you declare that ?’
’What do you ency You’re not the detective in charge In short, you weren’t present Then why?’
’That’s…’
Yakuht his prey Mao hesitated
Haruka’s heart was pounding
She finally understood what Yakuet out of Mao
’Doctor Mao, please answer honestly Were you in the surgery room that day?’
Yakumo’s eyes were even more forceful
Mao bit her lower lip and looked up at Yakumo
It was a bitter expression
’On that day, I was…’
After saying that much, Mao paused
No matter how she tried to hide it, it was obvious that she wasn’t sure how to continue
’I wasn’t there I was at home when I heard that Isshin-kun was carried in’
Mao leant back on her chair, see exhausted, and looked up as she said that
– She’s lying
Haruka felt that in her skin, but she didn’t dare to say it
Yakumo must have realised it too Haruka was sure that he would question Mao and reveal that lie
However, contrary to her expectations, Yakuh his hair
’I see That was all I wanted to confir that, Yakumo turned his back to Mao
– Why aren’t you questioning her more?
Haruka had that question as she stood up like Yakuht’
Yakumo had reached out to open the door, but he suddenly stopped
’Eh?’
Mao lifted her haggard face
’I forgot to say soan donation…’
Mao held her breath
’I absolutely refuse Uncle’s soul is still alive’
After a long silence, Yakumo said that forcefully and left the room
Haruka bowed to Mao and ran after Yakumo
– Uncle’s soul is still alive
Yakumo’s words went deep into Haruka’s heart
Yakuiven up yet Isshin would definitely coht that, tears welled up in her eyes
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3
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Ishii drove into the hospital’s front entrance and saw Yaku there
Haruka was there too
She was in skinny jeans and a white lace dress It had an incredibly spring-like vibe
– She really is cute
So s had happened that he hadn’t had h she had been nearby
’Ishii-san, you’re right on tiot into the backseat just as Ishii parked
’Ah, yes…’
’Before that, explain what’s going on’
Gotou turned around frolared at Yakunored Gotou and put his head out the
’I’ on you then,’ said Yakumo
’Eh, wait’
Troubled, Haruka’s brows furrowed
– What’s going on?
’Ishii-san, please start the car,’ said Yakuainst theand tried to say so
’Is it OK?’
’Yes’
’Understood’
Ishii nodded at Haruka and started the car
He saw Haruka’s shocked figure in his rear-view mirror When he looked at her sad expression, his chest felt tight
’Excusehappen to Haruka-chan?’ asked Ishii after driving onto thebored
’But…’
’She’s er than you think she is, Ishii-san’
I know her better than you – though Yakuht not have had that intention, that hat it sounded like, and Ishii was left with co, but in the end, he couldn’t think of anything
’So where’re you planning to go today?’ interrupted Gotou, changing the topic
’Please head to the detention house,’ Yaku to meet with Nanase Miyuki’
’W-what!?’ howled Gotou
Though Ishii didn’t let out his voice, he felt just as surprised
’Please don’t speak so loudly’
Yakuers in his ears
He didn’t seem nervous at all
’How could I be quiet!? And you always…’
’I’ to explain, so could you be quiet?’ said Yakuh his hair
Gotou looked like he wanted to say soer seat, like he thought it would be pointless to retort
Yakumo started his explanation after Gotou had cal that we know so far’
’Organise, is it…’ said Ishii, hands on the wheel
’To explain this case simply, Nanase Miyuki declared that she would kill somebody from inside the detention house, and my uncle was actually stabbed’
’Yes’
Just as Yakumo said, that here the case started
’The problem there is how on earth a crime was committed from inside the detention house, froest probleh the rear-view mirror
His eyes seemed filled with confidence
– Have you already solved the mystery behind the case?
Yakumo’s expression made Ishii think that
’I know the method behind the crihts
’Oi! That true?’
Contrary to Gotou, as agitated, Yakumo seemed bored as he yawned
– How can you be so calh Yakumo said he understood the method behind the crime, Ishii was sceptical
He had felt personally when investigating that the case this time would not be solved by ordinary h this easily
’The method she used was actually very sier on his brow
As if that were a switch, Yakurew sharper
’What ulp
’A trap?’ interrupted Gotou
’It wasn’t a trap,’ declared Yaku like a as found at the scene of the crime’
It wasn’t like Ishii himself had been confident about the trap theory, but he wanted to object when it was denied so readily
’That is probably a fake’
’Fake…’
’Yes I discussed this before, but if a trap were used, there is a big problem’
’Ah!’
Ishii recalled what Yakumo had said earlier
If a trap were used, it would have been set up before Miyuki was arrested
Isshin used the temple daily to meditate It would be difficult to tiered after Miyuki declared her killing intent
But –
’Wouldn’t it be possible if she hid the trap soer if a special action were taken?’ said Ishii, changing his perspective
’Ishii-san, do you knohat the priest at a te a priest does everybreakfast – but Ishii could tell that wasn’t the reply Yakumo wanted
– Then what on earth does Yakumo want as a reply?
The answer suddenly ca’
After Ishii said that excitedly, Yaku about?’
Gotou looked confused as he stuck his neck in
’The priest of the tehly at that’
’It would be unlikely for a trap not to be set off or found when the te’
Ishii explained further
’I see’
Gotou clapped his hands together in understanding
Just as Yakumo said, this would eliminate the trap theory Then there was one possibility left
’So Nanase Miyuki really did escape the detention house and stab Isshin-san’
Ishii said that with certainty, but Yaku’
Yakumo quietly shook his head
’Eh?’
Ishii was disappointed
If it wasn’t a trap, there shouldn’t have been any method but escape from the detention house
’Nanase Miyuki did not take even one step out of the detention house’
’How can you be sure?’ said Gotou
’It would be better to hear it from the person herself rather than from me’
Yakumo’s smile was full of confidence
It certainly would be better to confirm with the person herself, but Miyuki wasn’t the sort of person ould answer questions honestly
– What on earth is he planning to do?
With uneasy feelings, Ishii continued driving the car
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4
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Haruka sat on the bench in the waiting roohed
Yakumo had made a number of requests earlier
Because of what happened to Isshin, she didn’t object to helping, but it didn’t feel great being asked to help without knowing anything – she felt like an accomplice to fraud
It also
<Saitou-san, Saitou Yakumo-san>
Finally, there was a call from the reception
Haruka stood up and headed towards the reception in Yakumo’s stead
’Excuse me… I’m here as Saitou Yakumo’s representative…’
After Haruka said that, the woman at the reception handed her a brown envelope
He’d probably told her in advance that somebody would come pick it up for him Inside the envelope was a copy of Isshin’s clinical records
In the recent years, there was aof clinical records
It differed depending on the hospital, but if the person or the person’s relatives requested it, they could browse their clinical records
’Haruka-chan’
Just as Haruka alking aith the envelope, somebody called out to her
She turned around and saw Hijikata Makoto standing there
She wore a grey pant suit and had a large bag hanging froant face
Haruka didn’t often speak directly to Makoto, a newspaper reporter, but they had worked together on a number of spirit-related cases
Makoto had helped out a lot during the last case too
’Hello, Makoto-san’
Haruka bowed
’Hello’
’Are you here to gatherfrom Yakumo-kun?’
Haruka was surprised by Makoto’s unexpected words
’Not at all…’
’Actually, Yaku to you, Haruka-chan…’
Makoto s at all
At this point, rather than anger, Haruka felt stunned
’I see… I’m sorry for the trouble’
Haruka bowed her head, but Makoto smiled pleasantly
’It’s fine I knohat sort of person Yakumo-kun is too’
’He really isn’t all here’
Haruka pouted
’Right, right Let et’
Makoto held out a file
’What is this?’
’You’ll find out if you give it to Yakumo-kun’
’Is that so?’
’Since it’s personal information, be careful of how you use it’
’Yes,’ replied Haruka, taking the file
– I wonder what he’s looking into?
She ht find out if she looked into the file, but she felt like she shouldn’t just look at it so she put it into her bag along with the envelope she had received earlier
’Well, shall we go?’
After saying that, Makoto started walking towards the exit
The way she said that ether, but Haruka didn’t understand
’Where are we going?’
’You’ve got soht?’
’Eh, ah, yes…’
Yaku them to Hata
– Why does Makoto know that?
’Yaku you to Hata-san’s hospital, Haruka-chan,’ said Makoto with a smile, like she had sensed Haruka’s question
’I-I see…’
Haruka felt perplexed A lot of things see it
’Yakumo-kun’s unexpectedly nice too’
’I’h Haruka didn’t understand, she followed Makoto out of the hospital
They went to the guest parking lot and got into a red family car
’It’s quite a state of affairs,’ said Makoto as she started the car
It really was
’When I think that Isshin-san ht disappear like this, I can’t stand it…’
Haruka felt a piercing pain in her chest
It forced her to think howIsshin there up until now had saved her
’I know…’
’I feel like I have to do soripped her hands into fists in vexation
She couldn’t help Isshin, co, or make efforts to catch the culprit
All she could do atch
It was frustrating –
’Haruka-chan’
Makoto put her left hand on Haruka’s shoulder
’Yes’